NONFICTION TEXT STRUCTURES: Signal Words
This text structures uses signal words like "both," "similar," "different," and "unlike."
COMPARE & CONTRAST
This text structure is used to explain information about a topic as a series of events or a timeline.
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER / SEQUENCE
This is the beginning of the story when the characters, setting, and background are introduced.
EXPOSITION
This technique gives hints or clues about events that will happen later in the story.
FORESHADOWING
In the short story, "Button, Button," Norma presses the button. What does she EXPECT to happen? What ACTUALLY happens?
She expects a random stranger to die, and she will receive $50,000. Instead, her husband, Arthur, dies, and she collects his life insurance ($50,000).
This text structure uses signal words like "first," "then," "later," and "finally."
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER / SEQUENCE
This text structure is used to give specific details about a topic and create an image of the topic in the reader's mind.
DESCRIPTION
This is the MOST exciting or suspenseful part of the story. It is also called the "turning point."
CLIMAX
This technique occurs when the ending is left unfinished and the readers are left wondering what happened.
CLIFFHANGER
In the short story, "Lamb to the Slaughter," how does Mary Maloney dispose of the murder weapon at the end?
Mary cooks the murder weapon (the leg of lamb) and serves it to the police officers investigating the case.
This text structure uses signal words like "difficulty," "challenge," "issue," and "solved."
PROBLEM & SOLUTION
This text structure is used to show how two or more topics are similar and/or different.
COMPARE & CONTRAST
This is the series of events kicked off by the conflict and leading up to the climax. The main character faces complications and struggles that increase suspense!
RISING ACTION
EMPATHY
In the article, "Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire," the author explains how the tragedy led to several new safety laws for workplaces. Name at least TWO of these safety regulations.
Possible Answers: fire drills, automatic sprinklers, unlocked factory doors, doors that swing outward, better building exits, use of fireproofing materials, fire extinguishers, alarm systems, better facilities for workers, shorter work hours for women/children
This text structure uses signal words like "because," "impacted," "as a result," "affected," and "due to."
CAUSE & EFFECT
This text structure is used to introduce a difficulty and offer ways to solve that difficulty.
PROBLEM & SOLUTION
This is the series of events after the climax, as the tension decreases and the conflict begins to resolve.
FALLING ACTION
This TYPE OF IRONY (be specific!) occurs when the audience knows information that characters in the story do NOT know.
DRAMATIC IRONY
A text-dependent analysis has three main parts: E________________, I_______________, and I______________________. Name these terms.
Evidence, Inference, and Interrelationship
This text structure uses signal words like "features," "looks like," "characteristics," and "for example."
DESCRIPTION
This text structure is used to show how one event leads to another event.
CAUSE & EFFECT
This is the end of the story when the conflict is resolved and loose ends are tied up (unless it's a cliffhanger...).
RESOLUTION
This TYPE OF IRONY (be specific!) occurs when the character says the opposite of what they mean. This is also known as sarcasm.
VERBAL IRONY
Ms. Neiman's favorite number is 3. What is 100 - 33?
67